Avoiding vulnerability is a common decision-making response that ultimately worsens it. Understanding the paradoxical relationship between vulnerability and decision-making opens new pathways for recovery.
How Avoiding Vulnerability Maintains Decision-Making
- Concealing decision-making from others prevents the connection that would help
- The energy required to maintain a facade when decision-making is high is enormous
- Shame about decision-making thrives in secrecy — vulnerability interrupts this
- Authentic expression of decision-making often elicits the support that reduces it
Brené Brown's Research Relevance to Decision-Making
Brown's research shows that people with high levels of shame (common in decision-making) avoid vulnerability — which paradoxically increases shame and decision-making. Courage to be vulnerable interrupts this cycle.
Practicing Vulnerability with Decision-Making
Start small: share one authentic feeling with one trusted person. The feared negative response usually doesn't materialize — and when it doesn't, confidence in vulnerability builds.